hutkins...skrate up

9.28.2011

We have an intense football rivalry here in Hutkinston. Stingray grew up in Atlanta, I grew up in New Orleans. She loves the Falcons, I love the Saints. Now...we have come to an agreement on mutual love and respect for each others teams...but I used to HATE the Falcons. They beat us like a drum in the 90's (once in the playoffs). Now, it's a different story. I can't bring myself to hate something that is such a big part of someone I love. Even if it is dirty and birdlike.

The one team that Stingray and I both do not appreciate is DirectTV. The above commercial is amazing...and makes us laugh. But their grip on NFL out of market broadcasts is offensive. We will not buy DirectTV, not ever. Instead we listen on the radio to our hometown broadcast teams...while watching the local game on mute. Not a perfect situation, but it's a lot better than blowing lots of cash at a football bar and being around steeler fans (sorry Kim and Frank, you're just loud). Dirty Bird can't fly with a broken wing.

9.27.2011

The above video doesn't actually have anything to do with Alarm Clocks, or sleeping. It's just our cat being cute. We love him very much...except for lately between 430 and 530 a.m. when he's meowing his BRAINS out very loudly. In the past he's been very aware of the Alarm and how it works. When it goes off in the morning, that would be his cue to jump up on the bed, say hello with a soft meow, and then nuzzle our faces and maybe sometimes lick my armpit (I don't know why he's into that...he can only get away with it if I'm still asleep). But lately, before the Clock goes off he jumps up on our upstairs hand-rail (where he can look down onto our bed) and loudly begs for us to get up. I think he's demanding breakfast...but he's going to get more breakfast than he can handle if he keeps this up.

9.26.2011

This September Stingray's choir sang the National Anthem at a Phillies game. The kids were stoked as they were waiting to go onto the field. When I was a child my choir sang the national anthem at a Braves game during the pennant chase in 1991. I still remember that day and event very vividly (even though it was...holy crap...20 years ago). Hopefully this was just as fun for the kids.

Sorry for the poor quality. I had the Ipod touch recording (HD...yessss), but it ran out of space just as the choir was taking the field. This led to a feverish and panicked switch to my good old trusty iPhone 3GS...welcome grainy. Video issues aside...what a night!

7.14.2011

Soon after our great family/friend/bourbon tour vacation in Kentucky, our wonderful nephew Aedan (Ben's sister's son) came to visit us in Philadelphia for a few days.

As part of my [Jenny's] work for a Podcasting for Educators course this summer, I did a recording project with Aedan. Consider this our Aedan Oral History, Installment 1. I plan to continue this series whenever Aedan (or Aedan & Jonas) visit us in Philly.

Thanks, Aedan, for granting me this interview! And thanks to Katie and John for lending us their charming and lovely son!

6.07.2011

Yesterday at some point Mr. Frisky hurt his left front leg. So, he's been limping around the house...although it hasn't seemed to hurt his intelligent, active, and cuddly personality. Also, he still sleeps. Alot.